We check in with people at each stage of the cash transfer process to see how things are going. Take a look at some of their stories as they appear here in real-time.
Learn more about how recipients opt in to share their stories.
There will be no further updates from this completed recipient.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
53150 KES ($424 USD)
access_time 1 year ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
In the coming year and beyond, I hope to start a small grocery business. I intend to be vending tomatoes, kale and dry fish around the village. This is because I am currently depending on charcoal vending which is so energy-draining and also associated with health problems like chest pains. The income from the business will assist me in supporting my needs and realising my dream of being self-reliant.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, GiveDirectly did well in enrolling and sending cash directly to its beneficiaries. At first, the training that we were taken through by the officers aided us in understanding the enrollment processes well. I recommend they include financial planning training to assist us in how we could plan well on our transfers.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent $150 to support the education of my firstborn daughter Faith who is form 4 and was joining board secondary school. I used the recent transfer for shopping and paying part of the board fees. In addition, I spent part of the transfer to pay tithe at our church. Also, I used a large part of the transfer to construct a shade for our livestock which was living together with our neighbour's animals which resulted in constant diseases. Furthermore, I used $50 to pay a debt at our nearest food store where we were taking foodstuff on credit. Lastly, I bought enough food with the remaining amount for the family of 7 members.
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($463 USD)
access_time almost 2 years ago
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Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
It was around 6 pm while collecting some vegetables, I heard a message from my phone. Since I do not know how to read, I went to a friend for confirmation to know what kind of a message it was. Upon confirming, They told me that I had received KES 55000.00 from GiveDirectly.On hearing that gospel, I felt so happy for receiving the transfer knowing that I will be able to do some things that I could not because I lacked the money.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
Since I had started constructing a house, the building process was at a halt due to money. When I received the first transfer, I managed to complete the house. Based on that, GiveDirectly enabled me to finalize my construction since I had no means of seeing it to completion. I am grateful because GiveDirectly empowered me to get a house. If it were not for the organization, I would not have completed the construction.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
Medical of brother-in-lawSpending gd-2088189
Upon withdrawing the money, first I paid school fees for my five children who had been sent back home for fees. Out of the five children, one is in secondary school while the rest are in primary school. I paid KES 10000.00 for school fees for the secondary school child and KES 3000.00 for the Primary School. Secondly, I bought some food worth KES 5000.00. I also bought two doors to fix them because my house has been without doors for so long and it was risky at a time when I was traveling. Thereafter, as relatives, we contributed KES 4000.00 each to support my brother-in-law who was been admitted to the hospital for examination. Lastly, I completed my house which I had already started. I bought 20 pieces of iron sheets for KES 20000.00.
Enrolled
access_time almost 2 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money means access to basic education for my children. I have a family of 5 children. Four in primary school and one in secondary school. Raising these children has been very tough for me. I usually depend on the charcoal burning business which earns me less than KES 2000 per month. My husband is doing casual jobs in town that are not predictable. I will use KES 55,000 to clear the school fees balance and buy other educational requirements like books and school uniforms. This will give my children an opportunity to settle in school and hence good performance. I have also desired to invest in livestock farming because it is the only way I can save my money to earn a profit after I sell them when they multiply. I, therefore intend to start with 10 goats which will cost me KES 30,000.
What is the happiest part of your day?
My brother who works in Town visited us in the month of January. I was very happy because he bought my children clothes. My children have been neat and tidy in recent months.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The biggest challenge that I am currently facing is financial instabilities. This is because I depend on charcoal work that earns me less than KES 2000 per month and my husband is doing casual jobs in town which are not reliable. This has been the biggest stumbling block in achieving education for my children because most of the money I make from the charcoal business goes into buying food.
